ABSTRACT This paper explores the institutional governance model based on public accountability, transparency, fairness, and integrity and its influence on South Africa’s higher education internationalisation. Hence, the adoption of a systematic review approach to shape the scope for an all-inclusive, transparent discourse analysis and insightful discussion on related empirical studies. The sources at the centre of this discussion are selected through set inclusion and exclusion criteria. This systematic literature review was conducted grounded in a theoretical framework comprised of stakeholder, neo-institutional, and de-colonial theories. It was noted that the interaction between tenets of the institutional governance model contributes to the creation of a firm foundation for South Africa’s higher education internationalisation. This is anchored on the interface between quality management and higher education corporatisation in the context of academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Despite these implications, some challenges are met when grounding the institutional governance model in the matrix of higher education internationalisation in South Africa. From this, it has been concluded that the interaction between public accountability, transparency, fairness, and integrity forges a network capable of enhancing quality management and corporatization in South Africa’s higher education. Hence, the institutional governance model has the potential to influence South Africa’s higher education internationalisation positively. Therefore, it is recommended that South Africa adopt a multi-dimensional approach to resolving challenges formed by cultural multiplicity in the internationalisation of higher education.